I think Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce membership for Morton County is not a good return on the taxpayer's investment.

At a recent Burleigh County Commission meeting, the commissioners also questioned whether they should belong to the chamber.

The issue of the group's supporting specific candidates came up. I see little benefit for the taxpayers who are county residents unless you believe $5,000 toward "good will" and $5,000 toward a Bismarck-Mandan study touted as a Mandan-Morton study is something Morton County should buy.

A proposal for another study was presented to the Mandan City Commission on May 20 by an out-of-state company, Market Street. It has not worked in the Midwest. It will use data based on Bismarck-Mandan MSA statistics from the federal government instead of using data on Mandan-Morton that could be obtained from North Dakota State University researchers. Mandan Mayor Ken LaMont bet me $1 this study would really look at Mandan-Morton County. I have my doubts.

The county had $1,000 budgeted to give to the chamber, and instead of needing $5,000 for membership, it is now going to be asking for a total of $10,000, also asking the school, park districts and businesses, too, but not the Bismarck-Burleigh government.

Bismarck also could pay, since Mandan-Morton residents drop so much of their money in Bismarck in the form of sales tax. Use some of Bismarck sales tax dollars too. What benefit do New Salem, Hebron, Flasher, Glen Ullin, Almont and all the places in Morton County receive from the chamber?

County government is not here to support every organization. This seems to be more about politics than actual benefit. The chamber is named Bismarck-Mandan, not Burleigh-Morton.

The chamber probably has many calls on Mandan since it has one of the best tourist attractions, Fort Lincoln, yet the chamber was not willing to build in Morton County.

A chamber is to support and provide services for business. Government should be all about serving the taxpayer, not just the taxpayer who is in business.